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CAUPQRNIA
Fiai-GAME

"CONSERWOION OF WILD UFB THROUGH EDUCATK^f

f Volume 34

San Francisco, July, 1948

Number 3 ■

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STATE OF CALIFORNIA

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

DIVISION OF FISH AND GAME
San Francisco. California

EARL WARREN
Governor

WARREN T. HANNUM
Director of Natural Resources

nSH AND GAME COMMISSION

HARVEY E. HASTAIN, President
Brawley
LEE F. PAYNE, Commissioner PAUL DENNY, Commissioner

Los Angeles Etna

EDWIN L. CARTY, Commissioner WILLIAM J. SILVA, Commissioner

Oxnard Modesto

E. L. MACAULAY

Executive Director

San Francisco

CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME

CARLTON M. HERMAN, Editor Berkeley

Editorial Board

RICHARD S. CROKER San Francisco

BRLA.N CURTIS San Francisco

JOHN E. CHATTIN Berkeley

California Fiah and Game is a publication devoted to the conservation of wildlife.
It is published quarterly by the California Division of Fish and Game. All material for
publication should be sent to Dr. Carlton M. Herman, Editor, Division of Fish and
Game, Strawberry Canyon, University of California, Berkeley 4, California. Manu-
scripts should be typed, double spaced, and conform to the style of previous issues.

The articles published herein are not copyrighted and may be reproduced In other
periodicals, provided due credit is given the author and the California Division of Fish
and Game.

This publication is sent free of charge to interested persons, who may have their
names placed on the mailing list by writing to the editor. Subscriptions are for one
year and must be renewed annually. A postcard will be included with each October
issue for renewal of subscriptions. Subscribers are requested to notify the Division of
Fish and Game, University of California, Berkeley 4, California, of changes of address,
giving old address as well as the new.

California Fish and Game

"conservation of wildlife through education"

Volume 34

ISSUED JULY 1, 19 4S

No. 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

T]u' California Sea Lion Census for 1947

P. Bonnot and Wm. E. Ripley 89

A Contribution to the Life History of the Sacramento Perch
{Archoplites interruptus) in Clear Lake, Lake County, Cali-
fornia G. I. Murphy 93

Notes on the Biology of the Sacramento Hitch {Lavinia e. exili-

cauda) of Clear Lake, Lake County, California G. I. Murphy 101

Kokanee in California B. Curtis and J. C. Fraser 111

Experiments on the Management of Colorado River Beaver

A. L. Hensley and B. C. Fox 115

Notes —

Some New and Unusual Fishes from Southern California

J. E. Fitch 133

Hermaphroditism in Chinese Ring-necked Pheasant.

.M.N.Rosen 135

Resignation of Commission President, H. H. Arnold 136

Appointment of Commissioner E. L. Carty 136

Resignation of Emil J. N. Ott, Jr., as Executive Officer 136

Appointment of E. L. Macaulay as Executive Officer 136

Reports 137

(87)

THE CALIFORNIA SEA LION CENSUS FOR 1947^

By Paitl Bonnot, and Wm. Ellis Ripley

Bureau of Marine Fisheries

California Division of Fish and Game

At the beginning of the last century great herds of sea lions lived
along the California coast. A local race of fur seals, and a species of sea
elephants inhabited the southern half of the coastal area. The fur of the
fur seals and the oil from the sea lions and sea elephants found a ready
market. The seal hunters pursued them with a methodical persistence
that practically exterminated the fur seals and sea elephants, and
reduced the sea lion herds so drastically that it was no longer profitable
to hunt them. By the end of the century the seal hunters had moved on
to greener fields, or had taken up commercial fishing.

In the last 20 years commercial fishing along the California coast
has grown tremendously. Canneries and reduction plants have increased
in number and capacity. Fishing boats and gear have followed suit.
The 20-foot boats, that landed 500 pounds of fish taken in a local area,
have been replaced by ocean-going purse seiners that deliver 200 tons.

~-^^ """pfT^R ~

Figure 25. Steller Sea Lions, Ann Nuevo Rookery. Photograph hv
"Wm. E. Ripley, .June 27, 194 7

Because of recurring complaints of damage by sea lions, a number
of surveys have been made to determine the size of the population, and
to determine, if possible, what the animals eat, and the amount of damage
they actually do.

1 Submitted for publication February, 1948. We take pleasure in acknowledging
our indebtedness to the officers and men of the United States Navy, Blimp Squadron
One, based at Moffett Field and Santa Ana, California, for the cooperation and assist-
ance given us in making this survey.

-89600

(89)

90 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME

Table I gives the population for the years in which surveys have
been undertaken. The census is taken during June or July, the middle
of the breeding season, at which time the animals are concentrated on
their rookeries. At other times of the year they are scattered along the
entire coast. The Steller bulls are not numerous in California during the
winter. They appear to move up the coast to British Columbia and
southern Alaska. The Californias may also evince a northward movement
during the winter, some Lower California animals migrating to southern
California.

Sea lions seem to have a more catholic taste in the matter of diet
than most carnivorous animals. They eat any fish, mollusc, or crustacean
that is locally plentiful and easily caught. At times they are a definite
nuisance to fishermen. They frighten and scatter schools of fish, and
damage nets and gear. However their numbers, their consumption of fish
and the damage to fishing gear attributed to them are usually exagger-
ated by fishermen. Despite the avowed depredations of the sea lions, the
commercial fisherman of California manage to deliver, in an average
season, over a billion pounds of fish.

During the last two seasons, an innovation in the method of taking
the sea lion census has been introduced with the use of planes and blimps.
This technique has improved the accuracy of the census. Several rookeries
were studied and photographed which previously could not be accurately
estimated as it was not possible to approach them either from the land
or by boat. The whole coast line and the outlying islands can be examined
in two or three days instead of the two or three weeks previously required,
and comprehensive photographs can be more readily obtained. On
enlarged photographs it is possible to count the animals accurately.
It has been found that estimates of the number of animals, by experienced
observers, are within 5 percent of the numbers actually counted on the
photographs.

In 1946 the census was compiled from the counts and estimates of
a number of individuals. The 1946 report employs a different manner of
presentation than that used in previous reports, and is therefore not
comparable with them. The totals for 1946 are given at the bottom of
Table I. The 1989 report is based on estimates made in March, and
includes only about half the rookeries (Fry, 1939). It cannot therefore
be logically compared with other seasons.

In 1947 two experienced observers surveyed the entire coast line.
Due to unavoidable mishaps, photographs of some five rookeries were
unsatisfactory, or were not obtained ; but all rookeries, with the excep-
tion of San Nicolas Island, which was checked by the crew of a boat of
the Bureau of Patrol, were observed. Where satisfactory photographs
were obtained, the estimates check within 5 percent ; so it may be assumed
that the estimates not verified by photographic counts will be within
that tolerance.

The total population of both species of sea lions on the California
coast in 1947 was found to be 8,716.

In the last 20 years the sea lion population has remained fairly stable.
The average for the five previous surveys is a little over 7,000. The
increase in 1947 may be the result of the more rapid and comprehensive
coverage of the coast by air. which permits the detection and inclusion
of individuals and small groups in out-of-the-way and isolated parts of
the coast.

SEA LIOX CENSUS

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92 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME

References

Bonnot, Paul

1928. Report on the Seals and Sea Lions of California. Fish Bulletin No. 14,
p. 61, fig. 38.

1931. The California Sea Lion Census for 1930. California Fish and Game,
Vol. 17, pp. 150-155.

1937. California Sea Lion Census for 1936. California Fish and Game, Vol. 23,
pp. 108-112.

Bonnot, Paul : Clark, G. H. : Hatton, S. Ross

1938. California Sea Lion Census for 1938. California Fish and Game, Vol. 24,
pp. 415-419.

Bureau of Marine Fisheries

1947. California Sea Lion Census for 1946. California Fish and Game, Vol. 33,
pp. 19-22.

Fry, D. H., Jr.

1939. A AVinter Influx of Sea Lions from Lower California. California Fish and
Game, Vol. 25, pp. 245-250.

A CONTRIBUTION TO THE LIFE HISTORY OF THE

SACRAMENTO PERCH (ARCHOPLITES HVrER-

RUPTUS) IN CLEAR LAKE, LAKE

COUNTY, CALIFORNIA^

By Gabth I. Murphy

Bureau of Fish Conservation

California Division of Fish and Game

Introduction

In the course of investigations on Clear Lake a limited amount of
data relative to the Sacramento Perch (Archoplites interruptus) was
obtained. Since little information is available on this centrarchid, the only
native member of the sunfish family west of the Rockies, it is believed that
any observation is a contribution.

Clear Lake is a large lowland lake of 40,000 surface acres, located
in the Upper Sonoran Life Zone of central Northern California. It is a
part of the Sacramento-San Joaquin drainage basin, being connected hy
its outlet. Cache Creek, with the Sacramento River via the Yolo By-pass.

The Sacramento Perch is restricted to the Sacramento-San Joaquin
drainage and the smaller neighboring Pajaro River system. Before the
introduction of alien species, the Sacramento Perch was exceedingly
abundant throughout the lowland areas. Its size was reported by Jordan
and Evermann (1896-1900) as 12 to 24 inches. At the present time it is
scarce except in isolated localities, one of which is Clear Lake.

General Information

The Sacramento Perch (Fig. 26) occupies a minor position in the
sport catch of Clear Lake. In 1947, it constituted 1 percent of the total
catch. Formerly, trout and the Sacramento Perch were the only game
fish to be found in the lake. Since then introduced sunfish, bass, and cat-
fish, and changing ecological conditions, have reduced the numbers
of this species. In 1947 the catch of Sacramento Perch was made in April,
May, and June only, a period that corresponds roughly with prespawning
and spa^vning concentrations. The only explanation for their disappear-
ance after this date is that they must range the entire lake after spawn-
ing. Since their numbers are small, the chances of their being captured
by offshore anglers are small.

No studies of the food habits of the Sacramento Perch were made.
However, b,y inference, a rough pattern emerges. Young of the year are
found in association with bluegill (Lepomis macrocliirus) in the littoral
zone, where they probably feed on larger zooplanktons and insects.
Adults are captured on spinners and live minnows, but almost never on
worms, so it can be assumed that after reaching a certain size they become
at least partially piscivorous. Lindquist, Deonier, and Hancey (1943)

1 Submitted for publication March, 1948.

(93)

CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME

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SACRAMENTO PERCH 95

found the specimens they examined had fed on all stages of the phantom
midge (Chaohorus astictopusj, which is distributed over most of the off-
shore section of Clear Lake. The young of the native cyprinids, such as
the Sacramento Hitch (Lavinia e. exilicauda) move into the oif shore areas
during the middle of the summer, affording a supply of forage fish to the
perch.

Spawning Habits

A school of spawning Sacramento Perch was observed on June 15,
1947, off Austins Pier near Lower Lake. No spawning fish were in the
area on June 14th and none on June 16th. According to the boatman, Mr.
Jess Loomis, spaw^ling activity commenced about 9 a.m. on June 15th.
The writer began observations at 12 noon.

An estimated 50 adult fish were spawning in an area 12 feet long
and four feet wide. The spawning ground ad jointed a rock breakwater.
The water depth varied from one to two feet and the temperature was
75.5 degrees Fahrenheit. The substrate consisted of boulders from three
inches to one foot in diameter, covered by a hea-vy gro's\i;h of algae. A
few straggly growths of pond weed, Potamogeton, occurred in the area.
As seen from above, the fish were paired, although some exchange of
mates appeared to take place. The spawning activity of each pair was
roughly cyclic. Activity would commence by general restlessness of the
pair, accompanied by considerbale nudging and butting. Egg deposition
followed and was accomplished in a few seconds with the vents in close
approximation. During deposition both fish were tense, the female with
mouth agape, and both fish often in a vertical position, with either the
heads or the tails up. Deposition was followed by more predeposition
activity, more deposition, and finalh^ by a rest period of about five min-
utes, during which any intruder was ejected from the pair's deposition
area. During the rest period the female would occasionally stray from
the deposition area while the male remained on guard. (The term "depo-
sition area" is used, since each pair spawned in a definite area about 1.5
feet in diameter, although no nest-building activity of any sort was
observed.)

By 3 p.m. activity on the spawning ground had decreased markedly
and comparatively few fish were in sight. Most of these were males guard-
ing the deposition area. B}^ 4 p.m. all fish had left the spawning ground.

Examination of the substrate showed that the adhesive eggs were
attached directly to the heavy growth of algae on the rocks (Figure 27).
A few were found on the Potamogeton and a few on bare rock. The
vertical position assumed occasionally by the spawning fish may have
been due to deposition on a vertical surface ; considerable spawn was
found on vertical surfaces, but it was impossible to tell if it was deposited
while in the vertical position.

An abundance of the types of substrate on which most eentrarchids
spa%vn, such as gravels, existed nearby, but no Sacramento Perch were
observed using them. The use of algae-covered rocks and plants as a sub-
strate was one of choice.

During the height of spawning activity, it was almost impossible to
disturb the fish. As the activity subsided, the females were the first to
wander off. The males remained in the deposition areas for a short time,
up to 30 minutes, apparently on the possibility of additional females

CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME

appearing, and then wandered off. During the late afternoon, after
spawning had subsided considerably, the fish were very skittish, males
and females leaving the area permanently at the slightest provocation.
By 4 p.m. no fish were observed on the spawning ground.

On June 15th eggs were extremely abundant on the algae-covered
rocks, in some cases forming a solid crust. On June 16th it was almost
impossible to locate eggs. The few that were found were well along in
development, with hearts beating, indicating that development is rapid,
as in other centrarchids.

A female 10.5 inches long snagged off the spawning bed contained
an estimated 84,000 unspawned mature eggs.

The first Sacramento Perch of the year were taken in Clear Lake on
June 9, 1947, at an average length of 0.8 of an inch, w^hich indicates that
spawning had begun in May. By June 24th the majority had spawned,
judging by the condition of the gonads of adults captured in nets. Dur-
ing the period May 19th to June 26th the water temperatures of Clear
Lake at a depth of two feet varied from a maximum of 84 degrees F. to a

Figure 27. Length-weight relationship of Sacramento Perch, Clear Lake,

1946-1947. Curve fitted by eye.

SACRAMENTO PERCH

minimum of 62 degrees F., as recorded from a maximum-minimum ther-
mometer.

Sacramento Perch in Clear Lake spawn after their first year, judg-
ing by the samples collected.

Growth

It appears that after the young of the year reach a length of about
two inches they abandon the immediate shoreline and range the open
waters of the lake. Seine hauls on July 7th and August 7th took speci-
mens 1.9 and 2.0 inches long respectively near shore. The length of the
individuals in the shore population remains relatively constant, since
the larger individuals move out of reach of small seines. The largest fish
of the year taken in 1947 was 3.5 inches long, and was captured on
October 11th in a iyke net set 120 yards off shore.

Figure 27 gives the length-weight relationship of Sacramento Perch
in Clear Lake.

? — ? — (p 'I n

0/5 10 /S 10 15

Figure 28. Growth rate of Sacramento Perch, Clear Lake, 1946-1947.

The graph (Fig. 28) is based on 59 scale samples taken in 1946 and
1947. Some difficulty was experienced in reading the scales, as the species
apparently forms ' ' false checks ' ' quite readily. These checks may or may
not be spawning marks. In all cases the first annulus was readily located
(Fig. 29).

3—89600

CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME

Figure 29. Typical scale of a female Sacramento Perch, 20.0 centimeters (8
inches) in length taken April 27, 1947. This fish is in Age Class 2.

Discussion

The spawning habits of the Sacramento Perch are unique among
the family Centrarchidae. Breder (1936) gives a comprehensive review
of the family's spawning habits. Of the 25 species recognized at that time,
data for 20 indicated that the breeding habits of this group are remark-
ably uniform. The data given below are taken from page 40 of Breder 's
paper.

REPRODUCTIVE HABITS OF CENTRARCHIDAE

Attribute Manifestation

"1. Sex recognition Differential behavior.

*2. Spawning position Pair headed the same way with their ventral surfaces in con-
tact, the female reclined on one side.
In a depression in sand or gravel made by the male.
Moderately adhesive, attached to gravel and each other.
Not essential for respiration of the eggs. A protection from

silting and enemies only.
Male alone incubates and guards. Female normally leaves

when eggs are laid.
Chiefly the pectoral fins aided by the anal, or swimming

motions of the whole body.
Guarded in nest by male until ready to swim or later.

3. Location of nest
•4. Nature of eggs
5. Need for aeration

Roles of parents
Incubating method
Care of young

Of these eight generalized attributes of the family Centrarchidae,
only three (marked with an asterisk above) were observed in the Sac-
ramento Perch. A fourth, territoriality, only implied in the above tabu-
lation, is present during spawning only. The spawning pattern of this

SACRAMENTO PERCH 99

species appears to be primitive. The absence of any nest building activity,
despite a choice of site, and the absence or virtual absence of any sort
of parental care ^ form a basic pattern on which the more specialized
breeding behaviors of other centrarchids could be developed.

The schooling behavior of Sacramento Perch at spawning time is
unique. Breder (1936) describes the tendency of many sunfishes to school
prior to spawning. On moving into shallow water, these schools break
up, and any aggregation into colonies Breder ascribes to limitation of
suitable spawning sites. Sacramento Perch also school in the pre-spawn-
ing period, as evidenced by the fact that an angler on capturing one
perch can generally take large numbers in the same locality. Unlike other
centrarchids, they retain the schooling habit during the actual spawning.
In addition to the school observed by the writer, various lay observers
have reported large aggregations of spawning perch. After spawning the
schools break up and the fish depart singly. This failure of the schools to
break up until after spawning is probably a primitive characteristic and
may be associated with weak sex recognition characters and behavior.
It is, of course, possible to interpret the spawning pattern as degenerate.
Archoplites is a survivor of an ancient fauna which probably antedated
the barrier of the Rocky Mountains (Miller 1946) . Thus, it is not surpris-
ing that its reproductive habits are generalized.

It is quite probable that the scarcity of Sacramento Perch is due to
its failure to guard its eggs. In aboriginal times there were comparatively
few species in the Sacramento-San Joaquin system which were likely to
eat unprotected, exposed, fish eggs. Since that time black bass, crappie,
bluegill, carp, and catfish have been introduced into California. Neale
(1931) demonstrated to his satisfaction that of these the bluegill, carp,
and catfish (Ameiurus nehulosus or Idalurus catus) would eat eggs of
spawning fish. According to his observations, the Sacramento Perch
"spawns among aquatic growth," and does not build nests as do other
centrachids. This is in general agreement with the data presented above.
With the introduction of the species listed above, the Sacramento Perch
was no longer living in the isolation which it had enjoyed since the
Pliocene period. It became subjected to attack at its weakest point, its
unguarded eggs, until today it is only occasionally taken by the angler.
Of the myriads of eggs which were deposited on June 15th, only a few
could be found on June 16th, and none on subsequent days. The locality
in which they were spawned was swarming with Bluegill one to two
inches long, which probably consumed the eggs.

An interesting case is that of Thurston Lake, located near Clear
Lake. In this lake Sacramento Perch coexisted successfully with the
Brown Bullhead (Atneiurus nehulosus) and the Largemouth Black Bass
{Micropterus salmoides). In 1933 White Catfish {Idalurus catus) were
introduced, and shortly afterwards the Sacramento Perch disappeared
completely.

Curtis (1946) experimented with 16 adult Sacramento Perch and
30 adult Green Sunfish {Lepomis cyanellus) which were placed in a one-
third acre pond at Elk Grove, California, on March 19, 1946. When the
pond was drained on August 9, 23,000 young Sacramento Perch and
1,500 young Green Sunfish were recovered. The success of the Sacra-

1 Some tendency to stay near the incubating eggs has been reported for Sacra-
mento Perch in very small waters (artificial ponds, etc.). No such tendency was seen
here.

100 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME

mento Perch was probably due to their greater fecundity and to the
probability that they completed spawning before the Green Sunfish of
the year were large enough to consume eggs, if they attack eggs at all.
The 30 adult sunfish (average weight 7.5 ounces) would be unlikely to
make serious inroads into the perch eggs, partly because of the small
number in a one-third acre pond, partly because they may have been
involved in spawning of their own, and possiblj^ because adult Green
Sunfish may not disturb eggs, particularly if other food is abundant.
Similar experiments using Largemouth Black Bass, Bluegill, and Brown
Bullhead resulted in a predominance of Sacramento Perch.

Summary

The Sacramento Perch, a holdover from an ancient fauna, is
restricted to the Sacramento-San Joaquin and allied drainages. At the
present time its numbers are greatly reduced. Its feeding habits are
insectivorous and piscivorous.

Spawning habits are probably primitive. The schooling tendency is
retained ; nest building absent ; and guarding manifested only by terri-
toriality during spawning. The reduction of the Sacramento Perch popu-
lation probably resulted from the introduction of species which prey on
its unguarded eggs.

Recommendations

The Sacramento Perch is gravel}^ threatened by man 's introduction
of alien species into is habitat. It is not only a zoological rarity, but also
a worthwhile game fish. It is desirable that further studies be made to
explain more clearly its decline, and that steps be taken to preserve the
species in limited areas. Experiments to determine its value in pond fish
culture have been initiated by the California Division of Fish and Game,
and should be continued.

References

Bredor, C. M., Jr.

1936. The Reproductive Habits of North American Sunfishes (Family Centrar-
chidae). Zoologica, Vol. XXI, No. 1, pp. 1-48, pis. I-VII.

Curtis, B.

1046. Unpublished data.

.Jordan, D. S., and B. W. Evermann

],S!»6-1900. The Fishes of Middle and North America. U. S. Nat. Mus., Bull. 47,
pp. 1-3313, pis. I-CCCXCII.

Lindquist, A. W., C. C. Deonier, and J. E. Hancey

1943. The Relationship of Fish to the Clear Lake Gnat in Clear Lake, California.
California Fish and Game, Vol. 29, No. 4, pp. 196-202.

Miller, R. 11.

1946. The Need for Ichthyological Surveys of the Major Rivers of Western North
America. Science, Vol. 104, No. 2710, pp. 517-519.

Neale, G.

1931. Sacramento Perch. California Fish and Game, Vol. 17, No. 4, pp. 409-411.

NOTES ON THE BIOLOGY OF THE SACRAMENTO

HITCH (LAVINIA E. EXILICAUDA) OF CLEAR

LAKE, LAKE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA^

By Gaeth I. Murphy

Bureau of Fish Conservation

California Division of Fish and Game

Introduction

The hitch (Figure 30) is a member of the carp family (Cyprinidae).
The vernacular name ''hitch" is of Indian origin. The Pomo tribes living
on the north and west sides of Clear Lake apply this name to it, but those
living on the east and south shores call it "Chi." The genus Lavinia
is represented by a single species, indigenous to the Sacramento-San
Joaquin drainage basin and several minor but related drainages. Con-
siderable material on its distribution and svstematics is to be found in
Rutter (1903), Snyder (1913), and Miller (1945).

Figure 30. Male hitch, 6.7 inches long, captured at Scotts Creek, April 18, 1947

The data presented in this paper were derived from collections and
observations made at Clear Lake and its tributary streams during 1946
and 1947 and from observations made by Shapovalov in 1940. Clear Lake
is a large, lowland lake in central California containing a typical Cali-
fornia warm-water assemblage of fishes. Its surface area is approximately
40,000 acres.

All measurements of fish were made to the nearest millimeter, using
"fork length." Weights were taken with a spring balance reading to the
nearest 25 grams. Scale samples were taken from the side of the fish, above
the lateral line and below the dorsal fin.

General Ecology of the Hitch

Through its range as a whole the hitch inhabits lowland areas typi-
fied by sluggish streams and sloughs. Although frequently' it lives in lakes
and ponds, it apparently requires gravel-bottomed streams for successful

1 Submitted for publication March, 1948. All photographs, except Fig. 32, by the
author.

( 101 )

102 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME

spawning. In this respect its life cycle is comparable to that of the rain-
bow trout.

The importance of the hitch to the sport fishery is its value as forage
for the spiny-rayed game fishes. A forage fish for these species should
have certain characteristics. It should be prolific. It should be innocuous
in its feeding habits. It should be available. And its size should be such
that it remains in the forage fish classification for at least one year. In
general, the hitch fits these specifications, but the need for adequate
spawning streams limits its use. On the other hand, its mandatory stream
spa^yning and weak swimming characteristic make it a forage fish that
can be readily controlled when the need arises.

Feeding Habits

No extensive study of the feeding habits of the hitch was made by
the writer. Lindquist, Deonier, and Plancey (1943), found young hitch
up to two or three inches long in the lake to be feeding on the eggs, larvae,
and adults of the phantom midge (Chaohorvs asHctopus), commonly
known as the Clear Lake gnat ; and the adult hitch feeding on plankton
exclusively. The stomachs of several small hitch examined by the writer
contained larger plankton Crustacea exclusively. Five stomachs from
adult hitch captured by gill net in Clear Lake during 1946 contained
only plankton, but during the early spring an adult hitch is occasionally
taken by an angler using flies or worms on a small hook, which indicates
the insectivorous habit is not completely abandoned in the adult. These
scattered data indicate that the hitch while young (two or three inches)
feeds on smaller insects and plankton, and during its adult life feeds
very largely on plankton.

Spawning Habits and Larval Development

The hitch is very prolific ; a 10-inch female taken in March, 1947,
contained an estimated 112,000 maturing eggs. This great fecundity
is probably an adaptation to offset reproductive hazards, which are
numerous.

During late March and early April, after freshets caused by late
spring rains, the hitch move out of Clear Lake into the tributary streams
to spawn, running a few miles upstream, but not penetrating the more
precipitous reaches of the streams. Figure 31 illustrates a typical reach
of hitch spawning water. The gradient is slight. Most of the streams tribu-
tary to Clear Lake are of slight gradient in the lower few miles and are
covered with gravel and rubble up to five inches in diameter. In the past,
enormous numbers of hitch moved into the streams after the late rains.
In fact, the last sizeable rain of the season is called the "hitch rain" by
many local residents. Of recent years the runs have been small or non-
existent.

Shapovalov (1940) observed spawning hitch in Middle and Clover
Creeks, both tributary to Clear Lake via Scotts Creek, on April 13, 1940.
The following account of spa^vning activity is taken directly from his
notes.

' ' Spawning was taking place in shallow areas, where the water was
three to five inches deep, in moderately swift water. It was taking place
mostly over fine to medium gravel, on even riffles. At this point the stream

SACRAMENTO HITCH

103

is willow-liued. Spawning was in progress at this location at 10 a.m., when
observations were first made.

r- r-

-r^-^--

>r SS*^-"^^-^ *5.3 it^ .*^j

3«pJ^.~i^JP" J i^-^ f" '-■'V. '*

r-^x

Jk.,^^.

5i*«S-' . v.-— ^•?^- -w^

Figure 31. Hitch spawning in Middle Creels at bridge on Lakeport-Upper Lake
Road, Lake County, April 13, 1940. Photograph by Leo Shapovalov

"Spawning was also going on at the same time in Middle Creek at
the State Highway 29 crossing (on the Upper Lake-Lakeport Highway).
At 10.30 a.m. the temperatures in degrees Fahrenheit in Middle Creek at
the above bridge were air 67.5 degrees, water 58.5 degrees. The weather
was clear. The water was slightly murky. The flow of the stream was esti-
mated to be 75 second-feet or more. The average width was about 35 feet
and the average depth about 10 inches.

"Observations were continued only until 11.30 a.m., at which time
spawning was still going on at the above bridge over Middle Creek. Tem-
peratures had then risen to air 73 degrees, water 61.5 degrees.

"In spawning, the males kept close to and slightly behind the
females, with their snouts near the vents of the females. Often four and
five or more males attended one female, crowding over and next to one
another. However, they were not observed fighting.

"The deposited eggs were not covered by the fish. On the day of
observation the stream flow was receding, and as a result many thousands
of eggs were exposed on gravel bars. Under such conditions, mortality
among newly laid eggs must be tremendous."

The run of fish studied by the writer entered Scotts Creek on April
17, 1947, and remained in the stream until April 26th. Roily waters at
the time of the run prevented direct observation of the spawning fish.
Most of the observations were made at a riffle just below the mouth of
Middle Creek.

Figure 32 illustrates the composition of the spawning run observed
in Scotts Creek. It shows that while the males become mature at the end

104

CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME

of their first year, females usually do not mature until the end of their
third year of life, although a spawning female of age class 1 was collected
by Shapovalov in March of 1940.

Male

Female.

SBH

5 0 5

Number of Spec/mens

Figure 32. Age Composition of Spawning Hitcli, Scotts Creek, Lake County,
April, 1947. (Age Class 0 includes all fish that have not completed their first year of
life, etc.)

In Scotts Creek eggs could not be recovered from the pools above and
below the riffle but could be recovered from the riffle b}^ a technique similar
to stream bottom sampling, so it is assumed that deposition took place only
in riffle areas. Since the eggs are nonadhesive and sink rapidly, they lodge
in spaces in the gravel, which offer some protection during development.
At the time the spawning was observed the flow over the riffle studied was
80.2 second-feet. The current speed over the riffle varied from one-quarter
foot per second to 4f feet per second as measured by a current meter.

FiGURK .33. Hitch Eggs. The small egg was preserved
immediately after extrusion, and the larger eggs 30 minutes
after extrusion.

SACRAMENTO HITCH 105

Eggs were recovered from and spawning hitch captured on the sections of
the riffle having a speed of seven-eighths foot per second to 2^ feet per
second, indicating that the spawning fish have definite current prefer-
ences. The eggs were A'ery abundant in the gravel, their numbers ranging
from 110 to 561 per square foot on May 8, 1947.

Shortly after extrusion the egg absorbs water and a liquid cushion is
formed between the membrane and the yolk. The entire process takes
about 30 minutes, but starts almost immediately. This necessitates rapid
fertilization. Figure 33 shows the hitch egg before and after this process.
The smaller egg was preserved immediately after extrusion and the larger
eggs 30 minutes after extrusion.

An attempt was made to rear a batch of eggs. They were artificially
spawned and fertilized and placed in a tray through which tap water at
62 degrees F. was run. The longest period of time the eggs survived was
five days. In three days the surviving embryos were moving vigorously.
On the fifth day the hearts were beating. On the basis of available evi-
dence, it can be postulated that embryonic development takes about ten
days at 62 degrees F. and that the larvae become free-swimming in
approximately twenty days.

Failure of hitch spawning is readily possible. Apparently a heavy
rain during late ]\Iarch or April is needed to bring the adults into the
streams. During 1946 virtually no hitch from Clear Lake spawned.
Streamside residents report that no fish ran. Hitch of the year were quite
scarce and adult hitch captured during the summer were eggbound. This
is thought to be due to a lack of suitable freshets in the streams. During
1947 virtually the same situation existed. A few hitch ran during the
middle of March after a light rain. That only a small segment of the popu-
lation spawned during this run is indicated by the "ripeness" of 19 adult
females captured in Clear Lake on March 19th and 20th. On April 17th
pumping operations were initiated on Tule Lake, a reclamation on Seotts
Creek about three miles above the point at which the observations were
made. As a result, 30,000 gallons per minute were discharged into a stream
previously flowing about 5,000 gallons per minute. This created an arti-
ficial freshet. Pumping operations started at noon and by 4 p.m. spawning
fish were present on the riffle under study, whereas none had been there
during the morning. Examination of several other tributaries of Clear
Lake the next day revealed no hitch. It is believed that a rain sufficient to
freshet the streams at this time would have caused a general hitch run in
all streams. Further indication that all hitch did not spawn in 1947 is
given by the gill net capture on June 24, 1947, of two female hitch with
freely running eggs.

Vagaries in spring rains are the greatest single hazard to successful
hitch spawning. If the rains are sufficient to cause the fish to spawn, the
majority of the eggs may perish before hatching through a sudden drop
in the flow, exposing the gravels before the fry become free-swimming.
This danger is accentuated by the comparatively long development period
and by the fact that spawning coincides with the end of the rainy season.
In past years there have been times when the streams have dropped so
rapidly that the spawning fish were stranded. Kelsey Creek, tributary to
Clear Lake, has been so choked with stranded fish that one could literally
walk across the stream on the backs of fish.

106 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME

A more subtle factor in the decline of the hitch is the erosion which
the drainage has suffered at the hand of man. As it affects the hitch, this
abuse is focused on the graveling-in of stream channels, causing surface
flows to disappear prematurely, and the destruction of protective cover
by overgrazing and fires causing the rainfall to runoff more rapidly. These
two factors are interdependent.

It is apparent that a series of years in which weather conditions are
unfavorable can cause a marked reduction in the hitch population and
equally apparent that a series of good years can build up the population
enormously, in view of the large number of eggs produced by the indi-
vidual female.

Post Larval Life

On May 16, 1947, the average size of the hitch fry in Scotts Creek
was 2.2 centimeters. On May 28th it was 2.5 centimeters (one inch). By
the end of the first week in June young hitch were virtually gone from
Scotts Creek and coincident with this they appeared in the upper end of
Clear Lake in fairly large numbers, so it can be inferred that they migrate
downstream shortly after reaching a length of 2.5 centimeters or at an
age of about one month. A sample seined in Clear Lake on June 9th con-
sisted of fish 3.3 centimeters in average length. By June 17th they had
grown to 4.1 centimeters in length. By July 10th, the average size was
4.4 centimeters.

By August 1st none were taken in a series of 20 seine hauls. The best
explanation is that the young hitch when they first enter the lake live in
the littoral zone associated with young bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macro-
cJiirus), feeding on small insects and plankton. After reaching a size of
approximately 5 centimeters (2 inches) they range the entire lake, feed-
ing on plankton. An alternate explanation is that the numbers of young
fish were so reduced by predation that they were present during August
in too small numbers to be detected. This does not seem probable to the
writer, in view of the comparative ease with which they were seined dur-
ing June and July. Very probably the individual fish as they reach a
certain size become open-water inhabitants, gradually reducing the
density of the littoral population.

The open-water habits of the hitch make it an ideal forage fish for
a large lake since in ranging the lake they provide forage in the open
waters, in contrast with bluegills, which afford forage in the littoral zone
only.

Growth Rate

Figure 34 illustrates the growth rate of the hitch as calculated from
scales, a typical example of which is illustrated by Figure 35. It can be
seen that males of comparable age are smaller than females and that they
remain in the forage fish class into their second year. Most of the fish on
which Figure 34 is based were taken from the spawning run; so the
individuals are at the end of the year of life indicated since the annulus
can be expected to form in the immediate post-spawning period. The
length-weight relationship is illustrated by Figure 36.

SACRAMENTO HITCH

107

Length- Inches
5 6 7

T-

(0 15 20

Length-Centimeters

Figure 34 The Growth Rate of Hitch in Clear Lake, 1946-1947

108

CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME

Figure 35. Scale from a Female Hitch 24.2 Centimeters
in Length Taken April 19, 1947, in Scotts Creek. The fish is
in Age Class 2.

500
^50

g3»

300

S.20O

150

too

Length -Inches
^ -3 ,4^ 5 4 7 g 9 10 11 a (3

10 15 10 25

Length -Cenhwete rs

19
IT

(LI

O
K

•+-.

■3

■/

Figure 36. The Length-weight Relation of Hitch, Clear Lake, 1946-1947.

Curve fitted by eye

SACRAMENTO HITCH 109

Discussion

The nonadhesive eggs of the hitch with their protective cushion are
unusual in cyprinid fishes. They generally have adhesive eggs and no
noticeable cushion. In an adhesive egg a cushion is unnecessary since the
eggs are securely fastened in a safe place. The hitch eggs are adapted to
their haphazard deposition in gravels which are subject to considerable
shifting. It is hard to imagine a high survival of these eggs without this
cushion.

Miller (1945) reported numerous hybrids (Lavinia exilicaiida
harengus x Hesperoleucus symmetricus suiditus) in the Pajaro River
system. Normally Hesperoleucus, a much smaller cyprinid inhabiting
streams only, spawns in shallow water with very slight current. Its eggs
are adhesive and are deposited under rocks. In addition, spawning takes
place when the streams are clear and have subsided from the spring
freshets. However, if the stream flow regime was such that adult hitch
were trapped in pools inhabited by Hesperoleucus they might extrude
eggs and sperm in areas in which Hesperoleucus were spawning.

In Clear Lake hitch apparently have been unable to spawn success-
fully since 1943 or 1944. This means that the supply of forage fish has
been considerably lowered and it is believed that this is one of the chief
factors causing a decline in the Clear Lake sport fishery. There are in
addition other forage fishes which have been greatly reduced in Clear
Lake in recent years.

Summary

The hitch, Lavinia exilicauda (family Cyprinidae), is a valuable
forage fish. Juveniles feed on plankton and small insects, and adults
almost exclusively on plankton.

The hitch is a stream spawner, running into the streams in late
spring. The females first spawn at the end of their first year ; and females
at the end of their third year (age class 2) . Spawning takes place in riffle
areas. The eggs sink and lodge in crevices in the gravel, but are non-
adhesive. Shortly after deposition the egg absorbs water, and the space
between the membrane and the yolk fills with liquid, protecting the
developing embryo. Development up to the free-swimming stage prob-
ably takes about 20 days at 62 degrees F. Success of reproduction is com-
pletely dependent on run-off. This fact, coupled with the fecundity of
the hitch, results in marked fluctuations in the population.

The young migrate to the lake shortly after reaching a length of 2.5
centimeters (1 inch). The juveniles occupy the littoral zone of the lake
until they are approximately five centimeters (2 inches) in length, after
which it is believed that they become open-water inhabitants. As an open-
water forage fish they fill a need in a large lake, whose productivity, if
dependent on bluegill, sunfish, would be limited to the littoral zone. Males
of comparable age are smaller than females.

110 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME

References

Lindquist, A. W., C. C. Deouier, and J. E. Hancey

1943. The Relationship of Fish to the Clear Lake Gnat in Clear Lake, California.
Calif. Fish and Game, vol. 29, no. 4, pp. 196-202.
Miller, R. R.

1945. The status of Lavinia ardesiaca, a Cyprinid Fish From the Pajaro-Salinas
River Basin, California. Copeia 1945, no. 4, pp. 197-204.

Rutter, C.

1908. The Fishes of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Basin, With a Study of Their
Distribution and Variation. Bull. U. S. Bur. Fish. vol. XXVII, 1907, pp.
103-152, pi. V.

Shapovalov, Leo

1940. Unpublished Notes on Spawning Hitch in Lake County. April 13, 1940.

Snyder, J. O.

1913. The Fishes of the Streams Tributary to Monterey Bay, California. Bull.
U. S. Bur. Fish., vol. XXXII, 1912, pp. 47-72, pis. XIX-XXIV.

KOKANEE IN CALIFORNIA

By Bria:x Curtis and J. C. Fraser ^

Bureau of Fish Conservation
California Division of Fish and Game

The "kokanee" {Oncorhynchus nerha kennerlyi) was first planted
in California waters in 1941. This is a landlocked form of the Pacific
sockeye or red salmon. It is native to the Pacific Northwest, where it is
also called "little redfish" and "silver trout." Under highly favorable
conditions it may reach a size of five pounds. Twelve to fourteen inches is
average, and under poor conditions it never exceeds eight inches.

It is preeminently a lake resident, and may spawn on gravelly lake
shores as well as in streams connecting with lakes. It matures and spaT\Tis
at the end of its third or its fourth year, and like all Pacific salmons dies
after spawning. It prefers cool waters, and therefore goes deeper as
temperatures rise in summer. Although its food is made up largely of
plankton, the minute animals which drift in the water, it can be easily
taken in some lakes on hook and line in spring and autumn. In summer
it is harder to catch. Trolling with flashers and baited hook, and still-
fishing a few feet off bottom, are favored methods ; fly-fishing can be
successful in the late afternoon in spring or fall when the fish are near
the surface. The kokanee puts up a good fight, but has a tender mouth
and is hard to land. It is excellent eating. In its native regions it has
furnished abundant fishing and is looked upon as a valuable element in
the angling resources.

The decision to introduce it to California was based in part on its
popularity in certain sections of the northwest, and in part on its plank-
ton feeding habits, which suggested that it might do well in reservoirs
where fluctuations made for poor production of bottom food. Salt Springs
Reservoir on the North Fork of the Mokelumne River off the Carson Pass
Road was selected for the initial test ; its level fluctuates extensively, and
it is so located that little harm could be done if the kokanee turned out
to be an undesirable citizen. One hundred thousand eggs obtained in late
1940 from Idaho through the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service were
hatched at the Basin Creek State Fish Hatchery near Sonora, and 67,000
fingerlings were planted in July of 1941 at a length of a little under
two inches. (In the State of Washington, incidentally, where great num-
bers of this species are produced, planting at a very small size is favored.)
The Salt Springs area was closed shortly thereafter as a war measure,
but tests in the spring of 1943 showed the kokanee to be abundant and
easily caught, at a size of about 10 inches. In November of 1943, at the
end of their third year, and at a length of 11 to 12 inches, they were ready
to spawn, and some 300,000 eggs were taken from 626 females. A total of
over 3,000 fish were caught in seines at this time, 4^ percent of the num-
ber planted, and since many more were present than were netted, a good
survival was indicated.

1 Submitted for publication March, 1948.

(Ill)

112

CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME

Figure 37. Kokanee from Salt Springs Reservoir, November, 1943. Female in
center, male below and above. Photograph by Malcolm Wilson

These results were sufficiently encouraging to warrant further
stocking, which has been carried out as shown in the following table :

STOCKING OF KOKANEE IN CALIFORNIA

Size in
Name of Date of Source Number numbers

water planting of eggs planted per oz.

Salt Springs Reservoir,

Amador County 1941—7/12-16 Idaho 67,000 27

Strawberry Lake (also called
Pinecrest), Tuolumne

County 1944—8/12-10. Salt Springs 106,000 22-32

1945—7/28 Montana 99,000 - 25-40

8/6
1947—5/28 Washington 284,000 140-265

6/16
Waterhouse Lake, Tuolumne

County 1944—8/3 Snlt Springs 700 32

Echo Lake, El Dorado

County 1944—7/5-20 Montana 69,000 51-72

1945—8/2-7 Montana 79,000 52

Donner Lake, Nevada

County ___, 1944—6/22 Montana 83,000 270-280

7/19
1945—8/8-8 Montana 74,000 52

1947—5/28 Washington 100,000 265

NOTE:

Average lengths of flsh are approximately:
13 Inches at 25 per ounce.
li Inches at '50 per ounce.
I inch at 100 per ounce.

KOKANEE 113

The results have been uneven. Echo Lake has been the most dis-
appointing. In this high, rocky basin it has been very difficult to produce
good fishing, and it was hoped that the plankton-eating kokanee would
solve the problem. However, growth has been poor here, the fish not
exceeding eight to nine inches at maturity, and anglers have shown little
interest in them. Strawberry Lake has provided the best fishing, espe-
cially when it was drawn down in late summer of 1946 ; large catches
were made at this time, with the kokanee reaching a size of 10 inches.
Donner Lake has produced the largest fish, the spawners running from
12 to 16 inches. The kokanee aroused little angler interest here at first,
but their popularity seems to be growing, and more are being caught
every season."

Kokanee have appeared in other waters than those in which they
were planted. About 100 were found in December, 1946, spawning in the
small stream formed by the water running from the Tahoe Hatchery into
the lake. These had evidently escaped in 1944 from the hatchery troughs
where they were reared, and were returning to the "home stream."
In the Truckee River spawning kokanee appeared just below the Tahoe
Dam in the winter of 1947-1948 ; these are presumed to have migrated
out of Donner Lake. And in 1946 a number of Kokanee went out of Straw-
berry with the declining water and down to Lyons Reservoir. In no case
has any harm come from the escape of kokanee into other waters, nor is
any possibility of harm foreseen.

In California all kokanee so far observed have matured at the end
of their third year. Kokanee were seen spawning by the junior author
in Donner Lake in November of 1947, in water varying in depth from
one-half to three feet, and from right along the shore-line to 20 feet out.
Concentrations of fish were found near the mouths of the small inlet
streams on the north side where the lake bottom was sandy with some
pebbles and a few rocks, and many also spawned along the north shore
where, water trickled in from the road culverts. Water temperature was
45 degrees Fahrenheit.

The spawning pattern insofar as it could be observed resembled that
described by Schultz (1937), with such differences in detail as might be
attributable to stream spawning in Schultz 's report as against lake
spawning here. Only one female was seen in the process of building a
nest, and unfortunately she was in the center of a group of fish where
it was impossible to follow her actions closely, or those of any males
involved. She apparently rolled over on her side and dug vigorously with
the posterior part of her body for a few seconds, then circled away from
the nest; occasional interruptions would be caused by a general milling
around of all the fish in the vicinity. Actual pairing of fish seemed to be
the rule.

Spawning activity began by male and female circling the nest, one
behind the other. Eventually the female would pass over the center of
the nest, and come to a stop there — sometimes on the first pass, and some-
times on the second or third. The male would then join her, and both
would vibrate at which time it is presumed that the sex products were
deposited. The female invariably dug into the sand near the end of the
vibrations, raising a small cloud of fine particles. All of this took about

2 Reports from Donner Lake received after this paper went to press tell of excel-
lent fishing in May, 1948, with many limit catches of kokanee weighing about one
pound each.

114 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME

10 seconds, after which circling was resumed. Individual pairs were seen
to repeat this process four or five times over the same nest, presumably
with deposition of eggs each time. Covering of the eggs was apparently
accomplished by the digging action of the female at the end of each
period of vibrations, but it is possible that a further and final covering
took place after the completion of egg deposition in any particular nest.
Unfortunately Donuer Lake was drawn down very heavily in Janu-
ary and February, and all of these spawning beds were left high and
dry in frozen ground.

Reference

Schultz, Leonard P.

1937. The Breeding Habits of Salmon and Trout. Report of the Smithsonian
Institution for 1937, pp. 365-376.

EXPERIMENTS ON THE MANAGEMENT OF
COLORADO RIVER BEAVER'

By Arthur L. Hensley ^ and B. C. Fox ^

Introduction

The Colorado River or Sonora Beaver (Castor canadensis repen-
tinus Goldman) in that portion of the Colorado River constituting a
common boundary between the States of California and Arizona presents
a joint management problem requiring mutual understanding and uni-
formity in the adoption of regulations or policies by the state game
departments.

The development of a beaver resource management plan is influenced
by two major considerations : that which is to the best interest of this
resource of the two states, and that which is most feasible from the
standpoint of administration by the two game departments charged
with this responsibility. Further work is in progress, and the express
purpose of this paper is to record the preliminary findings of the
cooperative program as undertaken by the two game departments.

The authors wish to express their sincere appreciation to those
members of the California Division of Fish and Game, Arizona Game
and Fish Commission, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and
others who participated in the annual surveys and other functions of
the program. Thanks are also due to the trappers employed in the pro-
gram for their timely suggestions and cooperation.

This program presented the two states with an opportunity to collect
data relative to methods of procedure applicable to future management
plans for other parts of either state. It was therefore agreed to use the
Colorado River as a proving gr-ound upon which to experiment and, if
possible, demonstrate the potential value of the beaver resource under
a plan of share cropping by managed trapping.

Since the regulations governing operations of the Arizona Game
Department permit more freedom of operation than those of the Cali-
fornia agency, it was agreed that Arizona would assume supervision and
administration of the program on the basis of joint acceptance of recom-
mendations resulting from cooperative surveys made by representatives
of both states.

Objectives

To secure and record as much information as time permitted relative
to such important points as :

1. Development of a practical technique for estimating numbers of
beaver that can be safely harvested from a given area or portion
of a stream on the basis of a sustained annual yield.

1 Submitted for publication April, 1948. A portion of this study wa.s part of Fed-
eral Aid in Wildlife Restoration Project California 5-R ; a survey of the fur resources
of the State of California.

= Bureau of Game Conservation, California Division of Fish and Game.

' Arizona Game and Fish Commission.

( 115 )

116

CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME

2. Determination of the most feasible and economical plan of har-
vesting beaver with employed trappers,

3. Types and use of equipment necessary for the successful opera-
tion of such a plan.

4. Methods of marketing to obtain the greatest monetary returns.

5. Determination of occurrence of disease in Colorado Kiver beaver.

6. Collection of weights and measurements of adult beaver.

J<'niiii(i'; :;n. iVlirst of iliii .survey was performed in small boats powered

by outboard motors

Methods

The first joint survey of the Colorado River beaver was undertaken
in September of 1943 and thereafter in October for the four subsequent
years.

The initial procedure involved crisscrossing the river from bank to
bank wherever the channel permitted, making counts of beaver lodges or
houses, freshly used beaver slides, beaver bank burrows, beaver scent
mounds, and general observations.

The recording of beaver bank burrows excavated in the stream banks
was attempted during the first three surveys and thereafter discontinued.
It was found that these counts could not be made with anj^ degree of
accuracy because of almost daily water level fluctuations due to controls
exercised at Boulder Dam located approximately 60 miles above the upper
boundarj^ of the study. These counts, consequentlj^ were of no value for
comparative analysis in attempting to measure beaver population density
in the river. Due to frequent blockage by sand bars during low water
periods of the day, it was difficult to obtain counts of the beaver slides at
such sites. It is estimated that Table 1 represents about 40 percent of the
total number of the beaver slides and 80 percent of the beaver houses
present in the river for, theoretically, only 50 percent of the beaver slides
would have been observed and counted by the method used. No beaver
dams were observed in the Colorado River.

MANAGEMENT OF BEAVER

117

Figure 39. Newly constructed beaver lodge on bank of
Colorado River above Needles, California

Figure 40. A beaver lodge constructed in midstream
below Blythe, California

118

CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME

Figure 41. A typical beaver slide or runway showing

recent use

MANAGEMENT OF BEAVER

119

Figure 43. Shore cover on Colorado River between Imperial and Laguna Dams.
This characteristic stand contains an abundance of willow

General observations for the most part were limited to the abundance
of principal food plants and degree of utilization in reference to the
potential carrying capacity in given portions of the stream. Food plants
consist largely of cattail {Typha latifolia), tule {Scirpus acutiis), willow
(Salix spp.), Cottonwood (Populus fremontii), salt sedar {Tamdrix
galica), arrowweed (Pluchea sericea) and water wally {BaccJinris gluti-
nosa). Although extensive cutting of cottonwoods and willows were
observed in several locations, there were only a few spots where over-
utilization of food plants had become critical.

A number of residents living adjacent to the river were interviewed
to obtain information relative to poaching and display of interest in the
attempted management of this resource by the states.

No effort was made to ascertain actual numbers of beaver present in
the river as this would have required more time than was available.
Rather emphasis was placed on two major objectives : (1) the determina-
tion of the comparative density of the population in various sections of
the river and (2) the development of a yardstick to estimate, with rea-
sonable accuracy, the number which can safely be removed without
adverse influence on the distribution of the population, assuring a suffi-
cient residue of seed stock to produce a harvestable yield year after year.

120

CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME

The river was arbitrarily divided into sections for the purpose of
recording data to use later as a basis for future operations, numbered
as follows :

1. Intersection of the California, Arizona, and Nevada boundaries
to Needles, California.

2. Needles, California, to Topock, Arizona.

3. Topock, Arizona, to Parker Dam.

4. Parker Dam to Headgate or Squaw Dam.

5. Headgate or Squaw Dam to Blythe, California.

6. Blythe, California, to Imperial Dam.

7. Imperial Dam to California-Mexico boundary.

Certain of these river sections were grouped together and designated
as trapping units as follows :

1. Intersection of California, Arizona, and Nevada boundary to
Topock, Arizona (Comprising river sections 1 and 2).

2. Parker Dam to Blythe, California (Comprising river sections 4
and 5).

3. Blythe, California, to California-Mexico boundary (Comprising
river sections 6 and 7).

Figure 44. Beaver cuttings between Squaw and Parker
Dams demonstrating overutilization

MANAGEMENT OF BEAVER

]21

\ NE VADA

THE JOINT
ARIZONA- CALIFORNIA
COLORADO RIVER
BEAVER PROJECT

SCALE or

MILES

0 l.a IC If JO

<^,,

MEXICO

Figure 45. Map indicating the river sections used as subdivisions in this study

122 CALIFORNIA PISH AND GAME

River section 3, comprising all of Lake Havasu (formed by Parker
Dam), is not included as the habitat was destroyed by the creation of the
lake and will require several years to redevelop sufficient food supply to
support more than a limited number of beaver.

The census methods employed to obtain data were relatively the
same each season except that the 1947 survey counting was done by one
individual whereas in previous surveys two or more participated in mak-
ing counts. The 1947 method resulted in a lesser area of each bank
counted ; consequently the total count in comparison to the former sur-
veys was lowered. This does not necessarily indicate a lowering in the
trend of population.

The data presented in Table 1 is only useful on a long term basis.
In its present form it is indicative rather than conclusive except for the
trend of density in population which has more or less remained constant
in relation to the numbers of beaver removed.

Not including those beaver poached (of which some evidence was
found) it was recommended that 1,150 beaver be harvested of which 1,054
were taken during the course of the four seasons included in this analysis.

Due to wartime rationing of gasoline and tires, shortages of mate-
rials and supplies, limited personnel, and inability on the part of Cali-
fornia to lend the necessary assistance in supervising the program, the
animals were not taken as recommended. The quota was determined after
study of the survey data by discussion among the personnel involved
based on their past experiences and what they thought to be a logical
number to yield results possible of analysis and still be within the limits
of surplus animals.

It is evident that the evolution of any systematic management plan
from Table 1 is at present questionable since the recommendations were
not followed during the 1943 and 1944 seasons. The take was either too
few or too many, but it is hoped that in the future conditions will permit
the carrying out of the program as planned and in accordance with annual
recommendations.

MANAGEMENT OF BEAVER

123

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124

CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME

Management Procedure

Methods were modified during each season's procedure in an effort
to determine the plan best suited to the successful operation and manage-
ment of the activities. The two procedures given trials to date were
roughly as follows :

Procedure 1

1. Employment of salaried trappers
including a $1 bonus per pelt for well-
handled pelts rather than a share basis.
All equipment such as boat, motor, traps,
and personal belongings furnished by the
trapper ; incidental supplies and repairs
were furnished by the State Game depart-
ments.

2. The number of trappers required to
take the estimated quota were employed
and supervised by the State of Arizona.

3. The cost of operations, including
salaries, maintenance, trapping, pelting,
transporting, marketing, etc., were de-
ducted from the total revenue from the
sale of pelts and the balance was divided
equally between California and Arizona.

4. All other fur bearers accidentally
caught by trappers during trapping
operations were to be saved, prepared
for marketing, included in the sale of
pelts, and proceeds were to be equally
divided by the two states. Beaver were
trapped from the river proper. The river
proper was defined as the main channel,
all true sloughs whose channels leave and
rejoin the main river whether flowing
through during the period or not, and all
tributaries and diversion canals for a
distance of one-half mile from the main
channel.

5. The State of Arizona was respon-
sible for the sale of the beaver pelts with
the proviso that the pelts be sold to the
highest bidder at i)ublic auction and that
the State of California l)e provided with
copies of the l)ids at the time remittance
was made.

Procedure 2

1. Trappers were paid at the rate of
$5 per pelt and were provided with all
equipment with the exception of bedding,
food, and other personal requirements.
A provision was included to permit this
rate to be increased to $10 if the trapper's
take at $5 per pelt did not provide him
with an adequate wage.

2. The necessary number of trappers
required to take the estimated quota were
employed and supervised by the State of
Arizona.

3. The trapping program was adminis-
tered by the State of Arizona and all
costs of operations (including equipment
costs incurred by both states) were paid
from the proceeds of the sale of beaver
pelts and 50 percent of the balance was
remitted to the State of California.

4. Animals were trapped only from the
river proper. The river proper was defined
as the main channel, and all true sloughs
whose channels leave and rejoin the main
river whether flowing through during the
period of trapping or not, and all tribu-
taries and diversion canals for a distance
of one-half mile from the main channel.

Trappers while engaged on this project
were not allowed to operate trap lines
for the purpose of taking fur bearers
other than beaver.

.5. The sale of the pelts was placed in
the hands of one of the Western States
Fur Auction Houses for marketing at the
best discretion of the Fur Auction
Exchange and payment for pelts was
remitted to the Arizona Game and Fish
Commission.

During the 1943 and 1944 seasons trappinsr activities were performed
as per Procedure 1. Allegedly experienced trappers were employed from
among the group of men who were known to have trapped beaver for
many years along the Colorado River.

The few experienced trappers worked a very short time, apparently
prefpi-riiig to trap elsewhere rather than to work for a salary of $150 per
month plus the one dollar bonus per beaver, with the result that it became
necessary to employ inexperienced, poorly ccpiipped trappers to continue
the operations for the balance of the season. This set of circumstances

MANAGEMENT OF BEAVER

125

•?il^'iia^.:x^

L>.

s-*Xt» .

Figure 46. Riv^er barge set up on trailer for transporta-
tion from one trapping headquarters to another

B^^i^^.i.'-:.'^^'.

Figure 47. River barge assembled for use by trapping
crew. This provided living quarters as well as working
space.

along with the lack of adequate equipment and knowledge was responsible
for the virtual failure of the program as recommended under this pro-
cedure.

Under Procedure 2 three crews consisting of four experienced trap-
pers and their helpers followed this procedure without difficulty ; in fact,
their enthusiasm was so great that 710 beaver (210 more than the number
recommended for harvesting) were removed before the operation was
arbitrarily halted.

126

CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME

Costs

The following items of equipment were purchased by the two game
departments to insure the successful prosecution of Procedure 2 :

Numie)- Items Cost

5 Outboard motors, 1 22-h.p. 4 10-h.p $1,184 00

1 Portable store room, 20' x 24' 378 84

3 Trapping work boats, 12' x 4' 303 64

3 River scow boats, 8' x 20', split sections, 4' x 20' 595 55

4 Tents, 8' x 12', for living quarters on scow boats 202 68

4 Canfield camp stoves with ovens 26 00

100 Traps, size 14, and 6 setting clamps 270 85

100 Drying frames, f" bolt stock in 9' lengths 32 98

100 #12 gauge smooth wire 5 45

Hand tools and miscellaneous supplies 363 52

In addition there were other incidental items of equipment and sup-
plies, such as gasoline containers, gasoline, oil, etc., purchased during the
course of the project.

The following is a recapitulation table of costs incurred for opera-
tions for each of the four seasons during which the program has been in
effect :

Trapping Equipment Miscel-

Season contracts purchases Supplies Repairs laneous Totals

1943-44 $844 00 $88 68 $30 00 $962 68

1944-45 3,6.57 00 $2,999 53 131 29 232 23 $1,606 83 8,790 50

1945-46 1,100 00 328 51 152 54 289 06 1,870 36

1946-47 350 00 16 25 61 10 437 35

$5,951 00 $3,328 04 $398 76 $262 23 $1,956 99 $12,060 89

,.^;

*{^-

A^i •-?*•

Figure 48. Portable storehouse located above Fort
Mohave, Arizona, u.sed for storage of equipment when not
in operation.

MANAGEMENT OF BEAVER

127

Equipment, when not in use between seasons, was stored in a portable
storehouse (Figure 48) located about 10 miles above Fort jMohave on
property owned by the Arizona Game Department.

Marketing:

The marketing of pelts for the two seasons of 1943-44 and 1944-45
was handled as agreed under Procedure 1 by inviting resident and non-
resident raw fur buyers to submit competitive sealed bids on the different
lots of pelts and castors.

This plan worked well the first season, 1943, when the market was on
the uptrend and there was no price ceiling established for this kind of
beaver skin by the Office of Price Administration. Seven buyers of raw
furs submitted competitive bids and from the sales receipts the 0. P. A.
established a maximum ceiling price of $38.50 per skin for beaver taken
between Boulder Dam and Mexico.

Figure 49. Method of drying beaver pelts on adjust-
able circular hoops used for the purpose of keeping skins
uniform in shape.

At the 1944 sale there were nine buyers bidding. Indications were
that the entire group had mutually agreed not to bid over a certain
amount and later to portion the lots accordingly, resulting in an offer of
only $17.09 per pelt. This offer was rejected by the game departments and
after much discussion, the offer was increased to $23.01 ])er skin. This
later offer was accepted even though not favorable in view of the ceiling
price established the previous season.

During the seasons of 1945-46 and 1946-47 the marketing was
handled under Procedure 2 by shipping the pelts direct to one of the

128

CALIFORNIA FISH AND OAME

larger fur auction houses to be sold at their discretion. By this time there
was a decided slump in the fur market, yet an increase of $8.23 per pelt
was realized above the previous season's average ($23.01) at the peak
of the fur market.

The usual method of grading beaver pelts is based on several factors :
care in preparation of the pelt; damage to pelt prior to preparation;
quality of fur as to texture, color, density, and size, according to the
accompanying scale :

Classification Size Condition

Blankets 65" or more #1 — Excellent

Extra large 00"-64" #2— Good

Large 55"-59" #3— Fair

Medium 50"-54" #4 — Poor

Small 45"-49"

Kits 44" or smaller

Table 2 presents a recapitulation of the sales of pelts, castors, and
disbursements of the sales receipts of the four seasons. Table 3 illustrates
a sample of the variations in grades and average prices as received for
the 1945-46 season. The importance of handling and preparing pelts for

TABLE 2
Average Sales Receipts

Season

Number of
pelts

Sale receipts
of pelts

Average price
per pelt

Sale receipts
of castors

Total
receipts

1943-44

68
710
181

$2,082 16

16,337 92

5,655 50

602 25

$30 62
23 01
31 24
12 04

$47 60

370 47

81 45

15 66

$2 129 60

1944-45

10 708 39

1945-46._..

5,736 95

1946-47

617 91

Totals...

1,009

$24,677 83

$24 22

$515 18

$25,192 85

Total gross receipts. $25,192 85

Totalcost of operations... 12,060 89

Net profits 13,131 96

50 Percent net receipts, California... 6,565 98

50 Percent net receipts, Arizona 6,565 98

TABLE 3
Grade Analysis

Number
of pelts

Grade
number

Grade

Average prices
received

Total
receipts

1
1
1
1
2
3
4
3
4
3
4
3 and 4

Blankets

$47'00
39 00
31 00
23 00
19 00

11 00
16 75

13 75

14 75
9 75

12 75
8 75
6 75

$1,504 00

Extra large . ... .. . . .

2,652 00

Large '

589 00

Large medium

230 00

Medium , . ...

152 00

Small

110 00

Blankets

83 75

Blankets

08 75

Extra large...

132 75

Extra large.

48 75

Large

38 25

Large , . .

17 50

Medium and small

28 75

Average

181

31 24

$5,655 50

Castors, 4 cents per pound ..

81 45

$5,736 95

MANAGEMENT OF BEAVER

129

market was given considerable attention which is evident from the figures
presented in Table 3 (see grade numbers) but lost in the average prices
as presented in Table 2.

Disease Study

During the month of January, 1945, a total of 35 beaver, 17 female
and 18 male, of all ages were examined for disease by Dr. Carlton M.
Herman, Parasitologist, of the California Division of Fish and Game
Disease Laboratory.

The examinations showed that 27 of the 35 animals examined, or 77
percent, were parasitized internally by paramphistome flukes (Stichorchis
suhiriqnetus) in the cecum. This is probably the most common parasite
of beaver and is found throughout the beaver range. Many were infested
with parasitic beetles (Platypsylla castoris) which are found on the skin
and in the fur. No gross evidence of tularemia was found. None of the
animals examined showed any eA'idence of being in poor or unhealthy
condition. Most of those found infected with paramphistome flukes had
less than 10 worms ; one had 394. No evidence of embryos was found in
any of the females examined.

Table 4 shows the incidence of cecal flukes (Stichorchis suhtriquetus)
by age class of the 35 animals examined.

TABLE 4
Incidence of Cecal Flukes by Age Classes

Estimated age

Sex

Numbers
examined

Positive

Percent

Negative

1 year _. _

Females

Males

4
5

1 year

Both

Female. .

Total 1 vear

66.6

0
0

2 years

Male

Both

Total 2 years.

12
12

11
10

91.6
83.3

A.dult

Females

Males

Adult

Both

Total .\dults..

24
35

21
27

87.5
77.1

Totals

Weights and Measurements

During the 1946 season's trapping activities 10 fully adult beaver,
consisting of five males and five females, were selected as a representative
sample from 40 trapped specimens and the skulls presented to the Univer-
sity of California Museum of Vertebrate Zoology at Berkeley, California.
Before submission to the museum, records were taken of the weights and
measurements. These are summarized in Table 5.

Summary and Conclusion

This study, a cooperative beaver management experiment b}- llie
States of California and Arizona for that portion of the Colorado River

130

CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME

coustitnting a common boundary between the states, was made to secure
as much information as possible on methods for the development of
management plans which might be applicable here or in other parts of
either state. Surveys were made each year to determine the density of the
population and to evaluate the effects of cropping. Harvesting beaver on
a per pelt basis proved more satisfactory than on a basis of salaried
trappers. Equipment purchased by the states made it possible to maintain
a higher efficiency in the trapping activity by reducing the loss in trapped
animals and damage to pelts. Systematic trapping requires close super-
vision or the animals will not be cropped to the best advantage or in the
predetermined numbers.

This program was carried on during the period 1943-1947 inclusive.
Total costs of operation (except administrative costs) for the four seasons
Avas $12,060.89. Total gross receipts for the four seasons' sale of 1,009
beaver pelts was $25,192.85 of which $13,131.96 was net profit divided

TABLE 5

Beaver We

ights and

Measurements'^

Sex

Weight in
pounds

Total

length in

inches

Tail length
in inches

Hind foot

length in

inches

Ear notch

length in

inches

Male

56
56
*53
41
36

48^
45Ji
44
43^8

10^
12M

1^6

Male- . .

Male

Male - .

11/2

Male . .

Totals ..

242
48.40

59
59
48
t46
43

226}.^
45.30

47M
i2H
41J4

43 H

57H
11.50

13
12^

11'/^

3.5

-6Ji
6Vs

'i{6

Average.. .. . . .

1.46

Female

Female.

Female

lJl6

Female. . . .

13-2

Female

Totals .

255
51

497

49.6

224M
44.85

450M
45.09

61 h'
12.23

118^

11.86

6.93

695-8

6.94

VAi

Average .. .

1.49

Total all . ... .

14?i

Average all

1.48

1 Beaver taken on the Colorado River between Milpitas Wash (Arroyo Seco) and the head of the Imperial
National Wildlifi' Itcfiige on February 1 and 2, 194G.
* 4 pounds deducted (damp).
t 2 pounds deducted (damp).

equally between the two states. Some evidence of beaver poaching wa?
found, but the degree of frequency and extent was not determined.

The marketing of pelts through the fur auction exchange system was
found more profitable economically and more convenient than tlie method
of requesting resident raw fur buyers to submit competitive sealed bids.
Because of their lower quality in color and fur density there is less
demand by the fur industry for pelts, from this area than for those from
other parts of either state.

At no time during the study were any beaver dams found in the river
proper. The beaver in those portions of the river near Blythe, California,
and near Imperial and TjMguna Dams above Yuma, Arizona, are for the
most part considered nuisance beaver because of agricultural activities

MANAGEMENT OF BEAVEK 131

requiring- diversion of water for irrigation through diversion ditches,
Avliieh the animals frequently block.

In general the animals were found to be in good condition with no
evidence of disease.

This paper presents preliminary data obtained thus far in this study.
No attempt has been made to draw conclusions or predict results from
the data obtained to date. The authors feel that the study should be con-
tinued over a greater number of seasons and theories further tested before
reliable predictions and a sound management program can be presented.

The fact that this program has been more than self sustaining, yield-
ing a substantial profit credited to the participating states, justifies con-
tinuance of the management study.

NOTES

SOME NEW AND UNUSUAL FISHES FROM
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

The following is a list of fishes whose appearance off the coast of
Southern California are unusual enough to warrant a published record.
This list includes specimens received at the California State Fisheries
Laboratory since those reported by Fitch, in "California Fish and
Game," Vol. 33, No. 3, pp. 191-192, July 1947.

Icticus ischanus (Jordan and Thompson) Blackrag

An 18-inch blackrag was taken in a bait net haul near the Newport
Beach Pier, Orange County, on September 23, 1946. Mr. Emery S.
(Casey) Jones, skipper of the baitboat, did not recognize his catch and
sent it to the California State Fisheries Laboratory for identification.
Until the specimen was examined by Dr. Carl L. Hubbs of the Scripps
Institution of Oceanography at La Jolla, California, and Mr. Wilbur I.
Follett of the California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, identifica-
tion was not positive. This is the second known specimen of Icticits
ischanus. The first was taken at Okinawa in 1911 and reported by Jordan
and Thompson in Mem. Carnegie Mus., 6 (4), 1914 ; 242-243, pi. 27, fig. 4.
Hubbs and Follett will publish on the present specimen in detail at some
future date. The crew of the boat which caught this fish stated that as it
lay on the deck, it went through color changes comparable to those noticed
in a dolphin when removed from the water. The final change was to an
overall dull black which remained in death.

Nautichthys oculo-fasciatus (Girard) Sculpin

A small sculpin of this species was taken on hook and line September
14, 1947, off Point Sal, San Luis Obispo County, by Mr. Earl Farris of

2 3 4

INCHES

Figure 50. Monterey Spanish Mackerel, Scomberoynorus concolor. Photograph
by Al Johns for Haden and Carpenter, San Pedro

(133)

13-lr CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME

the sport fishing boat "Alaskan," operating out of Avila. Bolin states
(A review of the marine cottid fishes of California, Stanford Ichthvo-
logieal Bnlletin, Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 102-104, fig. 40, October, 1944) "The
species ranges from about Sitka, Alaska to Monterey Bay, California . . .
although common in Puget Sound, this fish is rarely taken in California. "
The specimen recorded here represents, therefore, a southern extension
of the known range by approximately 125 miles.

Scomberomorus concolor (Lockington) Monterey Spanish Mackerel

A specimen nearly two feet in length was taken in a bait net on Sep-
tember 16, 1947, by the fishing boat "Manhattan," one-half mile east of
the Redondo Breakwater in Santa Monica Bay. Mr. R. C. Wilson of the
California State Fisheries Laboratory, who was aboard the baitboat at
the time, and brought the fish to the laboratory, said it looked like a large
bonito swimming in the net and not until it was removed from the net
did he realize it was anything unusual. The Monterey Spanish mackerel
is nearly identical in appearance to the sierra of the Mexican Coast.
However, the numerous gold spots on the sides of the sierra are usually
enough to differentiate the two species. Scomheromorus concolor was
fairly abundant each fall in Monterey Bay, in the 1870 's and 1880 's,
where it became an important commercial fish. Around 1890, it failed to
return in the fall and no fish of this species was taken until nearly 40
years later, w^hen one was recorded from a San Pedro fish market in 1927.
Since 1927, two were landed at Monterey in 1931, one at Long Beach in
1937, and another in 1989. The most recent specimen is therefore the sixth
recorded since thej^ disappeared nearly 60 years ago. Apparently, some-
where in the Pacific Ocean, there is enough of a stock of these fish to keep
the species in existence. It has been previously reported in "California
Fish and Game," by the following authors : Roedel, Vol. 25, p. 343, 1939 ;
Croker, Vol. 23, pp. 245-246, 1937; Phillips, Vol. 18, p. 99, 1932; and
Starks, Vol. 4, p. 121, 1918.

I INCH

FiGLKE 51. Thread Herring, Opisthonema libertate. Photograph by
Al Johns for Vernon M. Haden, San Pedro

Opisthonema libertate (Gunther) Thread Herring

Several thread herring have been taken in bait nets throughout the
year. The most recent instance was one specimen caught just outside the

NOTES 135

San Pedro breakwater in February, 1948. This interesting fish is a mem-
ber of the herring family (Clupeidae) and schools of them are numerous
from the region of Magdalena Bay, Lower California, southward at least
to Panama. In the region of the Gulf of California, great schools of thread
herring are present and they are sometimes used as bait by the tuna boats,
some of which do not empty their bait tanks until they near their home
port of San Diego or San Pedro. This fact has been offered as a plausible
explanation of the occurrence of this species so far from its home range.
However, it is possible that a few fish do stray as far north as Southern
California.

Typhlogobius calif orniensis (Steindachner) Blind Goby

Xot only Avas the method of capture of these specimens unic|ue, but
the northern range of the species was extended by nearly a hundred miles.
They were taken in considerably deeper water than any previously
recorded, and the gobies themselves were all a great deal larger than
those usually collected.

In a routine check of an area after detonation of a 40-pound charge
of explosives just off the western tip of Santa Cruz Island on February
16, 1948, numerous blind gobies were left floating on the surface of the
water. Gulls picked up most of these but nine specimens were salvaged for
later examination and identification. These gobies were all approximately
three inches in length and quite heavy bodied. As is typical of this species,
they were scaleless and had an overall pinkish color in life. The eyes of
the adults of this form are rudimentary.

Previously Typhlogo'bws calif orniensis has been collected "only in
the zone exposed by low tides in rocky areas of our coast. It usually lives
in holes in these rocks in company with the ghost shrimp, Callianassa.
Those picked up off Santa Cruz Island were in water that varied from
15 to 25 feet in depth and presumably would have been more or less
exposed since they were affected by the blast. Previous recorded range
of this species was from Cedros Island, Lower California to Point Vin-
cente near San Pedro, California.^ — John E. Fitch, Bureau of Marine
Fisheries, California Division of Fish and Game, March, 1948.

HERMAPHRODITISM IN CHINESE RING-NECKED PHEASANT

^lale secondary sexual characteristics have been known to occur in
the female pheasant Phasianus colchicus. Variations in these birds range
from a suggestion of the white collar to an almost complete duplication
of male plumage with a dark greenish, black head, red side of head, white
collar, grey-green saddle, and dark brown body feathers. Rudimentary
spurs haA'e been noted. However, the tail feathers are shorter, and the
general structure of the birds are typical of the smaller female. Internal
examination of such individuals reveals ovaries that are atrophied.

During the past pheasant season opportunity was afforded the
author to examine many of the pheasants taken by hunters. Among the
birds autopsied one small pheasant possessed plumage more completely
characteristic of a male than any aberrant female that had been seen
previously. Small spurs were present. The ovaries and oviduct were noted
on the left side. Anterior to the ovaries were the ellipsoidal testes, and
leading from them were the bilateral vas deferens.

136 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME

This apparent hermaphrodite had an abundance of body fat and its
ovaries were not atrophied. Although visual inspeetion of the body cavity
and internal organs was permitted, opportunity to collect the gonads for
further study was not possible. — Merton N. Rosen; Bureau of Game Con-
servation; California Division of Fish and Game; March, 1947.

RESIGNATION OF COMMISSION PRESIDENT, H. H. ARNOLD

RESOLUTION

"Whereas. For the past two years General H. H. Arnold has faith-
fully served the public, the State of California and the Fish and Game
Commission as an honored member and president ; and

Whereas, The principles of conservation and preservation of Cali-
fornia fish and game, and the public 's interest therein, have been stimu-
lated and enhanced during General Arnold 's term of office ; and

Whereas, This commission desires to express to General Arnold its
appreciation and thanks for his inspirational effort and continuing guid-
ance in its behalf and in behalf of the conservation of wildlife in Califor-
nia, and also desires to acquaint the public at large and the Governor of
this State of such expression ; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, hy the Fish and Game Commission of the State of Califor-
nia, in regular meeting assembled, That its regret to expressed to General
Arnold for the necessity of tendering his resignation ; and further

Resolved, That its thanks and appreciation be and hereby are
expressed publicly to General H. H. Arnold for his interest, time, and
effort during the past two years in behalf of this commission as an
honored member and president ; and further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be forwarded to the Governor
of the State of California and to General H. H. Arnold, and that addi-
tional copies hereof be released to the press and published in all magazines
and journals published by this commission. Adopted April 30, 1948.

APPOINTMENT OF COMMISSIONER E. L. CARTY

Edwin L. Cartj^, Mayor of Oxnard, was appointed to the Fish and
Game Commission by Governor Warren to fill the unexpired term of
General H. H. Arnold who resigned on account of ill health. Mr. Carty
formerly served a full term as commissioner, being appointed by Governor
Olson, to the first five-man commission created by vote of the people.
Sportsmen and personnel will remember Mr. Carty for the building of
the Fillmore Hatchery, as well as his other efforts for better hunting and
fishing in California.

RESIGNATION OF EMIL J. N. OTT, JR., AS EXECUTIVE

OFFICER

The resignation of Emil J. N. Ott, Jr., Executive Officer, effective
April 30th, was accepted by the commission with regrets and an expres-
sion of goodwill in whatever enterprise witli which he becomes asso-
ciated. Mr. Ott had official capacitj^ with the division for about three and
a lialf years and was very energetic in all his endeavors.

APPOINTMENT OF E. L. MACAULAY AS EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Effective May 11th, E. L. Macaulay became the Executive Officer of
the division. Prior to the appointment Mr. Macaulay had been Chief,
Bureau of Patrol, for 19 years. He served in the U. S. Army during both
world wars with credit to himself and his branch of the service.

REPORTS

FISH CASES
January, February, March, 1948

Offense

Number
arrests

Fines

JaU
sentences

fdays)

Abalone: Undersize, overlimit, no license, possession, closed season, failure to

show license, out of shell -

Angling: Use of another's license, no license, transfer of license, set lines, closed
season, failure to show Ucense, spear within 300 feet of stream, use of ex-
plosives, operating wire fish trap, nonresident using resident license, false

statement to secure license

Bass: Late and early fishing, more than one line, undersize, seining, night fishing,

no license, other than angling.

Bluegill: Closed season

Catfish : Seining, selling undersize, undersize, night fishing

Clams: Transfer of license, undersize, night clamming, out of shell, illegal hours,

no h'jeisc--

Crabs: Undersize

Crappie: Closed season, seining

Cockles: Over limit, no license .

Commercial: No license, wastage of fish, failure to render reports, buying with-
out giving receipt, failure to show license on demand

Lobsters: l^ndersize, illegal use of traps, oversize, no boat registration

Pollution: Oil, sawdust, edgings, tannic acid, fish refuse

Salmon: Spearing in spawning area, snagging

Sunfish: Closed season, netting

Trout: Closed season, possession spear, night fishing, over limit, other than

angling, snagging, more than one rod, no license

Mackerel sardines : Delivering and receiving undersize

Court forfeitures: Undersize mackerel and sardines

124

255

61
6

200

15
25

$2,917 00

5,062 00

1,266 00

82 00

55 00

4,813 00

75 00

150 00

665 00

810 00

970 00

2,225 00

40 00

92 50

365 00

190 00

6,412 00

Totals.

980

$26,189 50

30H

il'A

GAME CASES
January, February, March, 1948

Offense

Number
arrests

Fines

Jail

sentences

(days)

Coots: Closed season, no license, shooting from car

Deer: Possession doe, closed season, possession spike buck, spotlighting

Deer meat: Possession closed season

Deer tags: Failure to validate ... ..

Doves: Closed season, unplugged gun, over limit

Du'ki: Early and late shooting, over limit, shooting from power boat, no stamp,

rifle, closed season, possession for sale

Frogs: Closed season

Geese: Late shooting, over limit, closed season, using live decoy, selling

Hunting: Unplugged gun, early and late shooting, no license, transfering license,

night hunting, spotlighting, failure to show license on demand, no alien license

Non game: Killing robins, meadow larks, thrush

Pheasants: Possession hen, closed season, rifle, overlimit

Pigeons: No license, over limit, closed season, taking homing pigeon

Quail: Unplugged gun, overlimit

Rabbits: Closed season, night hunting

Shore birds: Passession seagulls,. killdeer

Swans: Possession, killing, attempt to take

Trespass: Water fowl management area ._

Trapping : Removing animals from State trapper's trap

Elk meat: Possession closed season

Totals

17
50
27
5
19

221

346
10
40

13
39

5
17
19

$385 00

8,413 00

3,325 00

50 00

443 00

9,435 00

25 00

835 00

4.919 00
325 00

2,555 00
160 00
350 00
873 00
120 00
655 00
380 00
120 00
50 00

526
120

14.4

S74

S33,418 00

690^

(137)

138 CALIFORNIA FISH AND GAME

SEIZURES OF FISH AND GAME
January, February, March, 1948

Fish:

Al wlones 1,354

Ahalones, pounds 2,060

Striped bass 30

Black bass 4

Carp . 7

Catfish 49

Catfish, pounds 19

Crab 42

Crappie 10

Coclcles : 10,045

Clams 4,S21

BlucgiU 11

Bluegill, pounds 30

Lobsters 50

Lohtters, pounds 1,195

Salmon r 2

Skipjack, pounds 7,680

Trout 26

Trout, pounds 20

Mackerel and sardines 512,425

Game;

Coots 13

Deer 20

Deer meat, pounds 602

Doves 10

Ducks 623

Frogs - 14

Geese 52

Non game 22

Pheasants 41

Pigeons 2

Quail 4

Rabbits -.. 20

Shore birds ; 17

Swans 12

89K00 4-48 5500

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